Yarra Valley Water addresses future demands with new group

Yarra Valley Water has created a newly bolstered Asset Services Group to manage and expand its water and sewerage network. The organisation’s new group aims to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population and climate change impacts.

Yarra Valley Water’s General Manager Asset Services, Bridie Fennessy, is leading the new group and oversees engineering services to enable safe and reliable water services now and into the future.

“We’re closely aligning the full life cycle of our asset management from early planning and design through to build, operations and ongoing maintenance. The outcome-focused team are responding to Melbourne’s rapid growth and climate change, with an expanded and increasingly climate resilient water supply and sewerage network,” Fennessy said.

“We’re proud of our assets and the services we deliver for homes and businesses across a 4000 square kilometre area. We’re also keenly aware of our responsibility to protect cultural heritage and enhance biodiversity, and the team will continue to develop a care-for-Country approach as we deliver our essential services.”

The Asset Services Group now integrates functions that plan, design, build, operate and maintain assets. Fennessy will be supported by three deputy general managers and shared service divisions:

• Bri George (Asset Lifecycle Planning), is the leader in strategic asset management, growth planning and organisational transformation. George is committed to delivering sustainable outcomes for customers and the environment.
• Simon Willis (Asset Delivery and Care), whose expertise in capital delivery and operational excellence, paired with his dedication to community outcomes, will shape delivery and care initiatives.
• Kristen Knight (Asset Operations & Response), has nearly two decades at Yarra Valley Water. Knight brings an understanding of operations and a passion for delivering essential services and building strong, inclusive teams.
• Strong shared services will be focused on delivery, performance and partnerships, and assurance and resilience.
   

Managing Director Pat McCafferty said the move builds on three decades of delivering growth projects and will supply essential services for over two million Melburnians.

“We’ve just marked 30 years of service as Melbourne’s largest retail water corporation, and this evolution marks another important milestone in Yarra Valley Water’s journey. Bringing engineers, scientists and operators together in one operational group ensures we can continue to meet customers’ needs for the next 30 years and deliver what matters for community and the environment,” McCafferty said.

Yarra Valley Water is investing over $2.6 billion as part of its 2023–28 five-year plan approved by the Essential Services Commission, to provide essential water and sewerage services for a growing Melbourne. It aims to develop infrastructure to enhance network resilience, meet customer service obligations and meet environmental performance standards.

The move is consistent with the Victorian Government’s Plan Melbourne 2017–2050 Strategy, which aims to integrate urban development and water cycle management to support a resilient and liveable city by:

• reducing pressure on water supplies by making the best use of all water sources
• improving alignment between urban water management and planning by adopting an integrated water management approach
• protecting water, drainage and sewerage assets.
   

Image caption: New Asset Services Group (L-R) Kristen Knight, Bri George, Simon Willis, Bridie Fennessy.